Horsepower (hp) to Kilowatt (kW)
Horsepower is the traditional unit of engine power in the UK and US. One mechanical horsepower (hp) equals 0.7457 kilowatts. In the UK, car power is frequently quoted in bhp (brake horsepower), which is mechanically equivalent to hp for practical purposes. To convert hp to kW, multiply by 0.7457.
Frequently asked questions
One mechanical horsepower (hp or bhp) equals 0.7457 kilowatts. Note that metric horsepower (PS), used on many European cars, is slightly less — 0.7355 kW. When comparing a British car's bhp with a German car's PS, the values will be very close but not identical.
One hundred brake horsepower is 100 × 0.7457 = 74.57 kW. A typical small family hatchback in the UK produces between 90 and 130 bhp. The Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI, for instance, produces 95 bhp (70.8 kW).
Two hundred horsepower is 200 × 0.7457 = 149.1 kW. This puts a car firmly in the performance bracket. A Ford Focus ST, for example, produces around 280 bhp (208.8 kW), while a standard Focus produces closer to 125 bhp (93.2 kW).
Brake horsepower has been the traditional power measure in British motoring for over a century, measured at the engine's crankshaft with a brake dynamometer. EU regulations require kW on official documents such as V5C registration certificates, but bhp is retained in advertising and editorial because British drivers are more familiar with it.